How do you find the time for self-care when you're so drained and exhausted?!
These 3 tips on using creativity as self-care will help you ease stress.
Have you ever felt so stressed and exhausted after your busy workday that you have nothing to give?
You’re so drained that all you can do is microwave some dinner, binge-watch a little tv, and maybe take a bath before bed. You can’t even give your partner or bestie the attention they deserve. You know that self-care is critical, but how are you supposed to find time for all that?!
It can be done… I promise!
I was burned out, stressed out, and full of anxiety. There was never enough time in my day for anything extra, definitely not *more* self-care. I was already doing yoga, getting exercise, eating well, and ALL the things, but something was missing.
I wasn’t connecting to the real me.
A Gallup poll stated that burnout increased significantly for managers in 2021. Only one in four managers in 2021 agreed that they maintained a healthy balance between work and personal commitments. Finding the energy for your personal life when you’re already so drained may sound impossible.
So, how do you build creativity into your self-care routine?
1) Start Small
Find just 5 short minutes a day and pick up a pen. Journaling, doodling, scribbling, whatever feels good to you. Start here and see how you feel. When I was in the thick of my anxiety, I couldn’t possibly find 5 extra minutes. The time is there - dedicate it to your creative self-care. Maybe some days you’ll sketch or journal a little longer, and soon this will be a non-negotiable in your schedule.
2) Create Security
Feeling secure and grounded is a part of getting creative that is often overlooked. Once you feel grounded, your creativity has room to flourish. Whether this means a cozy space to create art or a feeling you need to find within, reflect on what you need to feel secure. I love to start my day on my yoga mat and ease into art. That may not be practical for your day, so maybe start with some deep breaths to ground yourself before you pick up your pen or paintbrush.
3) Trust the process (and yourself)
Push aside that self-doubt and make the first few marks on your page. There’s no judgment, no right or wrong way to explore art. When I lead art workshops, I love to begin by sharing quotes about creativity. One I keep coming back to is, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt” - Sylvia Plath. Push aside that doubt, trust yourself, have fun, enjoy the process, and notice how your stress eases when you start expressing yourself!
It took me a long time to shift my perspective and carve out time for myself.
I did a lot of work rethinking my values and realized I was spending all my time on things that didn’t matter the most. I was rigid and closed-off. I checked all the boxes, got the degrees, and climbed the corporate ladder, but I had no time for the things that allowed me to connect to my true self. I didn’t even know how to show up as her because she didn’t have time to flourish.
My creative artist self was stifled by burnout, anxiety, and self-doubt. My healing began once I took my leap of faith to leave corporate and focus on art full-time. I’m not asking you to take the same leap I took; I’m asking you to trust yourself and make time for yourself. Build your self-care routine before you burn out. Make creativity a part of it; you’ll notice how much it helps. Over time, your stressed and rigid thinking will become more mindful and free.
I’m here for you - to encourage you, provide support, and give you a safe, creative community to share your artwork with. Let me know how I can help!